Top Things to Do in Badlands National Park
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🧗♀️ Hike the Notch Trail
Our favorite trail in the park! It’s short (1.5 miles), includes a fun ladder climb, and rewards you with jaw-dropping views from a cliffside notch.
🚪 Explore the Door and Window Trails
Easy, scenic trails perfect for families or a warm-up before longer hikes. Short boardwalks lead to openings in the rock walls.
🏞️ Hike the Castle Trail
For a longer experience (5 miles one-way), the Castle Trail is a great way to see more of the park’s unique rock formations and wildlife.
📸 Stop at Scenic Overlooks
Don’t miss these favorite photo spots:
Big Badlands Overlook – Best at sunrise/sunset
Yellow Mounds – Unusual colors from a different geologic era
Pinnacles Overlook – Great wildlife spotting
Panorama Point – Sweeping, classic Badlands view
🦴 Fossil Exhibit Trail
A short boardwalk trail that’s both educational and fun for kids. Bonus: You can climb on the rocks!
🐾 Visit Roberts Prairie Dog Town
Get up close with a bustling prairie dog community—especially fun for younger travelers.
🐃 Look for Bison on Sage Creek Road
Take the gravel Sage Creek Wilderness Drive to escape the crowds and spot bison in a wilder section of the park.
📍 Wall Drug
Just outside the park, this quirky roadside stop is worth a quick visit (and a photo).
When to Visit
Spring and fall bring cooler temps and fewer crowds. Summer works too—just hike early to beat the heat. Parts of the park are open in winter, but snow and cold are common.
Good to Know
🚗 You’ll need your own car—there’s no shuttle
📏 The park spans 244,000 acres
🦌 Wildlife includes bison, prairie dogs, and bighorn sheep
💧 Bring water—shade is minimal and the weather can shift fast
Everything You Need to Know to Start Planning a Trip to the U.S. National Parks
